There are nearly 1.7 million rear-end collisions in the United States every year, accounting for about 28 percent of all crashes. Thousands of people die and around 500,000 are injured in these accidents.
Distracted driving, drunk driving, and unsafe lane changes are all common causes of rear-end collisions. The resultant injuries can be devastating. Broken neck bones, spinal cord injuries, whiplash—some victims are left sidelined from work for months while they recover, and the medical bills can quickly reach tens of thousands of dollars or more.
In this blog, we’ll discuss a few of the most effective strategies for avoiding rear-end accidents. If you or someone you love has already been injured in a collision with a negligent driver, contact Chelsie King Garza, P.C. to discuss your case.
Chelsie Garza has more than 20 years of experience representing victims of personal injury and wrongful death. She will evaluate your case for free and help you determine the most strategic way to proceed with your claim. Call 713-893-8808 to schedule a consultation with a car accident attorney in Houston.
Read on to learn four tips for avoiding rear-end collisions:
- Be Cautious When Changing Lanes
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 9 percent of rear-end collisions are caused by unsafe lane changes. These accidents often occur when one driver tailgates another and then checks a blind spot before changing lanes. This scenario can be avoided by ensuring you have plenty of space between your car and the leading vehicle before checking your blind spot.
You should also avoid changing lanes and then braking suddenly. In an age when nearly 481,000 drivers are using their cell phones while behind the wheel at any given daylight moment, you cannot trust that other motorists are paying attention.
- Do Not Tailgate
It is common knowledge that tailgating is unsafe, yet many drivers still choose to overlook the danger and follow other vehicles too closely. As a general rule, you should maintain at last 3 seconds of space between your car and the leading vehicle. When the road is wet, curvy, or icy, you should extend that distance to 6 seconds. If another vehicle is tailgating you, change lanes when it is safe to do so and let it pass.
- Check Your Brake Lights
It should come as no surprise that your risk of being involved in a rear-end collision is higher if your vehicle doesn’t have working brake lights. It is also possible that you will share a percentage of fault if you were rear-ended but your brake lights weren’t functioning. Texas uses a modified comparative fault rule when awarding damages, which means that your monetary award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to have been more than 50 percent at fault for a crash, you will not be able to recover anything.
- Avoid Distracted Driving
In 2016, distracted driving killed at least 3,450 people. Many of these deaths occurred in rear-end collisions. For perspective, if you are driving 55 mph and you look away from the road for 5 seconds, whether to check your cell phone, gawk at an accident scene, or adjust the climate controls, you will have traveled the distance of a football field without watching the road.
Injured in a Rear-End Collision? Call 713-893-8808 for a Free Consultation
Even if you follow all of the rules above, you cannot count on other drivers to do the same. If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a rear-end collision, turn to Chelsie King Garza, P.C. for legal guidance.
Chelsie is well-versed in the laws that govern auto accident claims in Texas. She will help you gather the evidence needed to prove your claim and will ensure the insurance company doesn’t bully you into accepting an unfair settlement. Call 713-893-8808 or use our Contact Form to set up a free case evaluation with a Houston car accident lawyer.
